Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

“’ Why do the wicked get away with cursing God? How can they think, ‘God will never call us to ac- count’? But you do see the trouble and grief they cause. You take note of it and punish them.”(13,14)

The question is ultimately directed towards God. Will He allow the wicked to curse him continually and get away with their lawlessness? His justice answers swiftly; he does see, he does take note of it, he will punish their actions. When God arises, everything changes for the better. The orphans, the help- less and the oppressed experience the mercy and justice of the King. • God defends- ” The helpless put their trust in you. You are the defender of orphans.”(14) • God defeats-“ Break the arms of these of these wicked, evil people!” (15) • God destroys- “ go after them until the last one is destroyed!” (15) • God deposes- “ The Lord is king forever and ever! Let those who worship other gods be swept from the land.”(16) • God delights- “ Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will listen to their cries and comfort them.” (17) • God delivers- “ You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so people can no longer terrify them.”(18)

PSALM 11: THE LORD IS IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE The Importance of Trusting God

This psalm emphasizes trusting the Lord and his justice even when the foundations of government and decency have been corrupted. God is still upon his throne in heaven seeing everything, evil peo- ple will be tried and judged and those who endeavor to do right will stand before him and receive his favor. The background of this psalm could very well have been found in 1 Samuel 18 and 19 where Saul was attempting to kill David. “ Saul hurled his spear at David in an attempt to kill him. But David dodged out of the way and escaped into the night, leaving the spear stuck in the wall. Then Saul sent troops to watch David’s house. They were told to kill David when he came out the next morning.”(1Sam. 19:10,11)

This short poem is presented in four parts:

I. TRUST IN THE LORD - 1-3 II. THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD - 4,5 III. THE TERROR OF THE LORD - 6 IV. THE TENDERNESS OF THE LORD - 7

INTRODUCTION:

“ For the choir director. A psalm of David. ”

This is the introduction to 14 of the Psalms and indicates that David would write the song and give it to one of his chief musicians to arrange and sing during the services.

I. TRUST IN THE LORD - 1-3

“ I trust in the Lord for protection. So why do you say to me, ‘Fly to the mountains for safety! The wicked are stringing their bows and setting their arrows in the bowstrings. They shoot from the shad- ows at those who do right.”( 1,2) Although Saul had tried to kill him four different times, David had not run away from his position as court musician and military captain. Finally Saul sent assassins to kill him upon his bed in the early morning and Michal, David’s wife told him: “’ If you don’t get away tonight, you will be dead by morning.” (1 Sam.19:11,12)

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